Because suddenly I have this fear that I'll show up on the playa only to find a desolate dust bed and the wind blowing against a large billboard reading "This ruse compliments of the Andy Kaufman Society - Thanks for playing!"

When he lights his streetlamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.That is a beautiful occupation.

BoyScoutGirl wrote:...this Thing In The Desert is actually going to happen, right?

Because suddenly I have this fear that I'll show up on the playa only to find a desolate dust bed and the wind blowing against a large billboard reading "This ruse compliments of the Andy Kaufman Society - Thanks for playing!"

If that happens, I'll probably be there too with a right-dumb look on my face, and we can split a bottle of champagne in a couple of lawn chairs and play some frisbee before heading back to civilization.

*** 2016 Survival Guide ***"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

I have a feeling, if the entire event ceased to be organized, scheduled and contracted with all the other participating businesses and organizations, there would still be an enormous gathering at Black Rock Desert the week before Labor Day.

Actually you should come to the playa with that expectation. Plan your personal and camp stuff so that even if nobody else shows up, you're going to have a great time. Then if anybody else shows up (and they often do), bonus!

Trishntek wrote:I have a feeling, if the entire event ceased to be organized, scheduled and contracted with all the other participating businesses and organizations, there would still be an enormous gathering at Black Rock Desert the week before Labor Day.

trilobyte wrote:Actually you should come to the playa with that expectation. Plan your personal and camp stuff so that even if nobody else shows up, you're going to have a great time. Then if anybody else shows up (and they often do), bonus!

Right on! "Often" is a good enough chance for me!

I guess I am trying to express the weird amalgam of feelings and fears I'm going through as a first timer. I've got my stuff together and I've done enough field expeditions to know what I need to be comfortable in harsh environments for extended periods, so I'm not overly worried about logistics.

What's confusing me is the event itself. Look forward to one thing for so long - as with many people, I've followed the event for years, wanting to participate - and when you read "the man burns in 29 days," the phrase hits with an almost physical impact. It feels impossible not to have expectations. Hell, the whole idea of Burning Man seems ludicrous, impossible. A city of 60,000 people bound by fire and art and good will and mischief appearing out of the desert and disappearing into the desert? Too beautiful to be true.

So maybe the sudden fears that it's all a mirage are justifiable but I, for one, intend to show up. I will do everything in my power to add to the city and then to carry the city away.

Keep Burning Man impossible.

When he lights his streetlamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.That is a beautiful occupation.

Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge? " I am a controlled substance". Savannah.

I love this, first reading "the man burns in X days"is just a wonderful thing, this year as i have planed to be home to meet all the wonderful people i met last year and the others i have friended this year, i have swung between various emotions sometimes even deciding definitely not to go, then changing my mind and even planing for 2013. now with 5 days till i leave on what will be just an awesome holiday, with Burning Man sandwiched neatly in the middle I am just so excited its almost ridiculous, so yea if i do turn up to find they moved BM to different location and time well i will sit down with a rum get the frisbee out and have a good time

FREE THE SHERPASBurners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.CATCH AND RELEASE.